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Preparing the Patient
5-5
5Preparing the Patient
Proper application and placement of electrodes is essential for quality ECG
monitoring. Good contact between the electrode and the skin reduces the
effects of motion artifact and signal interference.
1 If necessary, shave hair from the site to ensure good electrode to skin
contact.
2 Clean and abrade the skin then wipe it dry.
You can safely monitor a patient during defibrillation. However, monitoring
electrodes can become polarized during defibrillation shock, causing the
ECG waveform to briefly disappear from the display. You can reduce this
effect by using silver-silver chloride electrodes.
Be sure that the electrodes or lead wire tips do not come in contact with
any other conductive materials, including earth-grounded materials,
especially when connecting or disconnecting electrodes to/from a patient.
3 Attach disposable monitoring electrodes by performing the following
steps:
a. Peel the protective backing from the electrode. Be careful to keep
adhesive surface free from electrolyte medium.
b. Apply the electrodes firmly to the patient’s skin, pressing around the
entire edge of the electrode.
c. Snap lead wires onto electrodes, assuring good contact between the
electrode and the lead end. Tape the lead wire to the skin to prevent
the electrode or lead from loosening.
d. Plug the patient cable connector into the ECG input connector on the
lower front of the defibrillator, behind the carrying handle.
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